The
Skydive/Tandem Parachute
jump was totally
AMAZING! I had such a
brilliant day weather
wise it just couldn't
have been better. Not a
cloud in the sky and a
gentle breeze. We got to
the heliport for 9.00 as
instructed and I was
whisked off for my ten
minute 'training'
session. i.e. cross your
arms and ankles, do as
you're told and enjoy! I
was completely
determined to enjoy the
experience right from
the start and didn't
feel at all nervous. A
jumpsuit appeared at my
feet, next thing I know
I'm stepping into a
harness and walking to
the plane!
We flew out over
Lowestoft and as
it was such a clear day
I could see right round
the coast - Gt
Yarmouth harbour
and the outline of the
coast stretching north.
It was absolutely
beautiful - even the the
normally grey
North Sea looked a
stunning azure blue. Not
quite Indian Ocean but
pretty impressive.
A few more instructions
from my tandem mate
before they opened the
roller shutter door and
the first pair
disappeared out of the
side. We were second
so I didn't have time to
to worry about it before
the tap on the shoulder
and the bum shuffle to
the doorway. So there I
am - dangling outside,
while he prepares
himself and that's it -
OUT! We tumbled over but
it was great, still no
nerves.. another tap on
the shoulder, into
freefall position
and enjoying the view!
Wow! Brilliant,
brilliant, brilliant!!
A few more photos and
all too soon the
cameraman gave a wave
and fell away whilst our
parachute was
released and we
travelled back up
again. What follows is
peace and
tranquillity, a
bird's eye view of my
beautiful native county
of Norfolk. The
different colours and
contours of the fields
below me and a beautiful
clear blue sky above me.
There was even a crop
maze
configured like a
goddess's head which was
pretty awesome. It's
quite emotional and
spiritual.
It's all over so
quickly, the descent
seemed to take no time
at all and I could see
my family waiting for me
on the ground. The
landing was easy - just
had to let him do all
the work!
I think I was still up
there for rest of the
day and even now it's
nice to remember how
wonderful the experience
was. Such a
privilege to defy
nature, go somewhere and
see something from a
perspective that we
humans are not supposed
to see. In half an hour
I realised a dream,
celebrated what would
have been Neill's 30th
birthday and
raised in excess
of £600.00 for
the CRY charity. Quite
humbling really.
Jacqueline Shephard
